Customer Reviews

Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery (Clarion Nonfiction)

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This book is one of the books that you should really read. It contains tons of information about Eleanor Roosevelt. I had to write a biography about her for a project at school and I aced it! This book had lots of pictures too. I could not put it down!

As a fifth grade student, I did not think that reading a biography would be interesting. However, this book captured my interest from the beginning to the end. The author provides many details about Eleanor Roosevelt's life both before and after she met FDR. After reading this book I really admire Eleanor Roosevelt. She was truly a determined, caring woman.

This Newbery Honor Book, subtitled "A Life of Discovery," covers Eleanor Roosevelt's life in 11 chapters and nearly 200 pages. The biography covers Roosevelt's childhood, education, courtship, marriage and motherhood, entrée into politics alongside her husband, and her humanitarian work independent of FDR. The text itself is straightforward and easy to read, presented in a scholarly fashion rather than the sort of fictionalized manner of some biographies. While certain events are dramatized, no dialog is invented - the words the reader encounters are those of the figures themselves, from journals, letters, and speeches. The best passages are the friendly and informative explanations offering children some background knowledge about the time, such as this account of courtship at the turn of the century, seamlessly woven into the chapter on "Cousin Franklin":

Of course, Eleanor and Franklin were never alone together. That would have been highly improper in those formal Victorian days. When Eleanor visited Hyde Park or Campobello, when she met Franklin in New York for lunch or tea, even they went riding in the Roosevelt carriage, a third person was always present. If a relative wasn't available, Eleanor's maid served as a chaperone (38).

These frequent explanations offer the reader a broader insight into time, describing the conventions of the era in order to later set Roosevelt's often unconventional views and activities in contrast. This treatment gives young readers a strong sense of why Roosevelt is worthy of special attention. The text is accompanied by more than 100 black and white photographs, both formal portraits and informal candid views of Roosevelt. Overall, the book focuses on Roosevelt's life as a public figure, though does not shy away from intensely personal matters such as her father's alcoholism, her adolescent insecurities, and even her husband's infidelity. In this way, Freedman manages to create a very intimate portrait of the woman herself and to make a larger-than-life figure, with a highly privileged background seem very real and accessible. Although Freedman's tone clearly indicates an admiration for his subject, the book does not idolize her, often drawing attention to her faults such as her lack of her tenderness as a mother when her children were very young (acknowledged by her son). The book concludes with a photo album, bibliography, and index. The book is readable from beginning to end and usable as a reference for exploration of specific events or issues from Roosevelt's life. Children will likely come to this book because of a classroom assignment, but in the process will certainly be entertained and inspired.

Following up on his acclaimed biography of Franklin Roosevelt, Freedman turns his attention to the equally famous First Lady. Like so many heroines in fiction, Eleanor was orphaned at a young age. She and her siblings grew up with wealthy relations, but the household was chaotic and the children were often overlooked. Despite these difficult circumstances, Eleanor became a world celebrity and inspiration to countless Americans. But it took her a long time to get there. Franklin always knew his worth; Eleanor discovered hers slowly.

As a young girl, Eleanor wanted to be a singer. But she was painfully shy, and a prominent overbite coupled with a receding chin made her homely, a fact which people in her family commented on regularly (one aunt wrote that "her mouth and teeth seem to have no future"). But in time she developed charm and poise, and attracted her handsome fifth cousin Franklin. Their marriage produced six children in 13 years (one baby died), and then Eleanor discovered that her husband was involved with Lucy Mercer, her own secretary. She ended their marital intimacy, and when Franklin agreed to end the affair, she agreed to maintain the marriage for the sake of his political career. That career seemed finished anyway after Franklin became paralyzed from polio, but with Eleanor's help, he went on to become Governor of New York and then president. After he died, Eleanor learned that he had resumed his contact with Lucy Mercer years before, and that Mercer had been with him when he died.

Eleanor Roosevelt was the first president's wife to hold a press conference and the first to fly in a plane; her accomplishments swamp those of any other First Lady. She lived to age 78, and died a much-beloved American icon.

Too often the biographer writing for children plays up the legends about his subject and bypasses the chance to do original source research. Not Freedman. He sets the standard for research-based, carefully delineated verbal portraits that deal both with the individual and with the times. His texts are always supplemented by an astounding variety of images, from family and official photographs to pictures of written records (one picture here shows Eleanor's name at birth inscribed in the family Bible). Freedman also provides his usual thorough appendices with information about places associated with Roosevelt and suggestions for further reading.

Though he deals matter-of-factly with Franklin's affair, Freedman says nothing about the possible relationship between Eleanor and her dear friend, reporter Lorena Hickok. The women exchanged daily letters for many years, and Eleanor wore a ring Hickok had given her. One of Eleanor's letters to Lorena is unmistakably charged with physical intimacy: "I want to put my arms around you & kiss you at the corner of your mouth." Lesbian historian Lillian Faderman has discussed this relationship at length in her book Odd Girls and Twilight Lovers, published in 1991, two years before this book.

Freedman's omission reminds me that James W. Loewen got it right when he complained, in Lies My Teachers Told Me (1995), that writers of history for children rarely consult the latest research done by academic historians. Or perhaps Freedman knew about the potential lesbian relationship and chose not to mention it, thinking (probably correctly) that his book might not find a place in school libraries if he did.

To my mind there are two biographers that write for children and that can do no wrong. On is the ineffable J. Giblin (author of "The Life and Death of Adolf Hitler") and one is Russell Freedman. Freedman is best known for his well-rounded and intensely researched biography of Abraham Lincoln (entitled "Lincoln: A Photobiography"), winner of the Newbery award. Turning his sights to a slightly more modern personage, Freedman examines the life and times of Eleanor Roosevelt.

Every biography needs a hook. It's not enough to lay out the facts of a person's life and let them speak for themselves. Many times, a work examining a famous figure needs to go a little further. To find out what exactly made this person tick. Eleanor Roosevelt's life was not a common one, but it many ways it began ordinarily. Born to beautiful but distant parents, Eleanor struggled with her plain looks and her inordinate shyness from day one. Freedman is often in a position to demonize those people in Roosevelt's life that let her down, yet he never wishes to do so. Rather than actually say, "Eleanor's parents were negligent baboons", the author instead places the facts before the viewer. Examining them, we see that, yes, they were negligent baboons. But we have reached that conclusion on our own, without being told what to think. So goes the rest of Freedman's book. As she grows, Eleanor matures, finds strength in herself, and eventually becomes the best known (and most widely respected) first lady of the United States.

There are a few problems with the biography, though they are small. The book allows itself a small flourish occasionally. One example might be Eleanor's death scene, wherein the author supposes that the former first lady may have seen the image of her father upon dying. Also, though the sources cited are many, Freedman fails to footnote a single page in any way (a talent Giblin has always excelled in). A timeline of Eleanor's life would not have been out of place here either. Just the same, these are small potatoes.

This is a book written specifically with children or young adults in mind. As such, it is interesting and informative. Beautiful photographs accompany almost every page, and there is even a small photo album of additional shots in the back. Hearsay and conjecture about Mrs. Eleanor's private life has been ignored entirely. The book does observe FDR's romantic liaisons (some provided by his daughter, no less) but it does not dwell on them obsessively. As Eleanor forgives but does not forget his dalliances, and so too the reader comes to forgive (maybe a little less) but not forget them either. FDR is interesting, but this is a book about Eleanor Roosevelt and the life she led. Anyone wishing to teach about a popular proto-feminist would do very well to use this woman as their primary example. Freedman has treated her with the dignity she deserves. It is a noteworthy accomplishment.

This book is truly one you should read. I read it for english and loved learning about a first lady who wasn't afraid to stand up for her rights. But when you read you will discover her life wasn't all glamour. The book is easy reading and enjoyable. There are some parts that you may skip and won't really make a difference. So buy this book now and read until your done!

The life of a hero By: Bridget McCarthy
The book "Eleanor Roosevelt A life of discovery" By Russell Freedman was very superior. This biography of Eleanor Roosevelt told a very intriguing story. It taught me a lot not only about her but the time period that she lived in. If you want an exciting, hard-working, smart, woman to read about, then Eleanor Roosevelt is perfect. She seemed to help everyone one who needed it.
When I started the book I felt bad for her, she was a very homely girl growing up. For the majority of her life she lived in New York. She lost both of her parents and a few siblings to. As it got into her midlife after meeting Franklin Roosevelt and going to London for school, she started to become a very bright knoleadable woman. When her husband was struck with polio, his legs were paralyzed. Eleanor carried out the Roosevelt name. She was independent and Franklin could not have been sucessful without her. She went through some of the hardest times yet some of the best. One of her biggest problems or battles was her mother-in-law Sara, she wanted to be in her son's life, and always thought she knew what was best for him. She went through being a first lady during the depression and a world war. You could almost say she has seen it all.
I highly enjoyed reading about her, there was a lot straight from Eleanor herself, through diaries or her news paper articles. One quote that shows her impact is, "I might hurt my husband politically and socially." It was during some of the hardest times for women when they were just getting their rights; it was not easy for her to shine. She seemed to put a smile of almost everyone she meet's faces. She had to practice public speaking and got a trainer, she became one of the best speakers of America. "One Hostile questioner asked: `Do you think your husband's illness has affected his mentality?' Without changing her expression, Eleanor replied: `I am glad that question was asked. The answer is yes anyone who had gone through great suffering is bound to have a greater sympathy and understanding of the problems of mankind.' The audience gave her a standing ovation." This just shows how far she came. A shy girl now can take over a nation with few words. The book was very easy to follow and understand. Anyone who wants to know what life was like in the in the early to the middle of the 1900's then this book can tell you. At the end of this book you fell like another of Eleanor's friends.
This book of the life of Eleanor Roosevelt is definitely worth reading! You will learn a lot and have a new role model. I now look up to her and respect her; I have never seen or read about someone as heartwarming and courageous as her.

My review is simple. I like using Amazon because it is easy, fairly priced and the order comes quickly. If there is a mistake Amazon does not hassle you. What else would I want. It's all simple.

Robert R. Hilger
Princeton, NJ

I purchased this for my 10 year old daughter, hoping to get her interested in starting to read more nonfiction. She loved the book and read it all in three sittings. It must be very well written, because I saw her engrossed in it for hours at a time.

This is a must have for any historian. I loved the book. I was able to use it for my recent bibliography for college. There was a lot of little tidbits that I did not see elsewhere.